It’s a spider, it’s big, and it’s scurrying across your floor, making its way for the basement: it’s a wolf spider. These scary-looking, and frighteningly large spiders are some of the most common pests in Alabama and other parts of the country.
Are wolf spiders dangerous? How can you tell them apart from other spider species? Should you just leave them alone? Find all the answers in our wolf spider identification, dangers, and pest control guide.
Introduction to Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are large, hairy spiders that can move quickly. They hunt insects instead of making webs to catch their prey. They can be found in forests, grasslands, gardens, and other areas with lots of ground cover or rocks.
Wolf spiders are also found around homes and businesses near ground-level entryways such as basements, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, and other similar spaces.
Wolf spiders are often dark brown or gray in color with a lighter stripe running down their back. They can range in size from half an inch to over two inches long.
Wolf spiders have eight eyes arranged in three rows, giving them good eyesight. They use their keen eyesight to hunt at night. Wolf spiders are often mistaken for brown recluse spiders due to their similar size and markings.
Wolf spiders are generally not aggressive towards humans and will only bite if they feel threatened or are handled roughly.
Wolf Spider Identification
Wolf spiders are large, hairy spiders that can be found in a variety of habitats. They are most commonly found in forests and fields but can also be found in gardens, yards, and near homes and other buildings.
Wolf spiders get their name from their tendency to hunt and kill their prey like a wolf hunts its prey. Wolf spiders are predators that actively stalk and ambush their prey. They are fast runners and can easily escape from danger.
Wolf spiders are not poisonous to humans, but their bite can be painful and may cause swelling and redness. If you are bitten by a wolf spider, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Wolf spiders can be identified by their large size, hairy bodies, and quick movements. They also have eight eyes arranged in three rows.
Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?
Wolf spiders may be intimidating, but their venom is not medically significant to humans. While their bites can cause redness, swelling, or minor pain, severe reactions are rare and generally only occur in those with specific allergies.
Wolf spiders are not considered aggressive spiders and are more likely to avoid confrontation with humans than attack.
Their size and speed can be disconcerting, as they are one of the larger spider species and can move quickly when necessary. A wolf spider can dart across a room in an instant, often surprising people who are near them.
Benefits of Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are predators that feed on other insects and can help control the population of pests in your home. They prey on a variety of insects, including:
- Flies
- Cockroaches
- Crickets
- Ants
Wolf spiders are not considered harmful to humans, but they can be a nuisance if they enter your home in large numbers.
Why Do Wolf Spiders Come Into My House?
Wolf spiders enter houses for several reasons, but the most common reason is in search of food. These spiders are hunters, not web-builders, and will actively hunt other insects and bugs for food.
They are also attracted to moisture and may enter homes if they sense a potential water source.
Wolf spiders may also enter homes in search of shelter from extreme temperatures. They are most active during the day and prefer to spend the night in dark, cool places. This is why you are likely to find wolf spiders in your basement or attic.
Signs of Wolf Spider Activity
Wolf spiders are usually solitary spiders and do not form colonies or large groups. This means that the occasional spider is probably just a lone hunter looking for a meal and not necessarily a sign of a major problem.
However, if you notice an increase in the number of wolf spiders in your home, or if you find many spider webs and other signs of spider activity, you may have an infestation.
Female wolf spiders carry their egg sacs with them until the spiderlings are ready to leave. If you find an egg sac in your home, it is likely that the mother will soon follow.
Spiders are more likely to be found in basements and crawl spaces where insects may be present. If you notice more bugs inside your home, you are more likely to see spiders.
Wolf spiders are often found in dark, quiet places, so check under furniture and around doors and windows for any signs of spider activity.
How to Prevent Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders don’t like to live inside homes, but they’ll come inside if it’s warm and safe and if they can find food. Wolf spiders are opportunistic hunters, so if your home has other insects, they will follow them inside.
To prevent wolf spiders from coming indoors, make sure your home is well-sealed against drafts and keep all potential entry points, such as doors and windows, closed as much as possible.
- Seal off cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations.
- Repair torn window and door screens to prevent entry.
- Reduce clutter in basements, attics, and garages where spiders like to hide.
- Eliminate insect prey by controlling other pest problems quickly.
- Maintain your yard by clearing leaf litter, keeping grass trimmed, and storing firewood away from the house.
Professional Wolf Spider Pest Control
Wolf spiders in the house are a sign that your home is attractive to them. They may be following other insects indoors to hunt, or they may be looking for a warm, dry place to live.
The most important thing you can do is contact a pest control company to assess the situation and recommend treatment options. At Steel City Pest, our trained professionals use safe and effective methods to identify and eliminate spider problems quickly.
Your pest control technician will carefully inspect your property, including basements and other dark corners, to locate any potential entry points or harborage areas. We will then use EPA-approved products and techniques to treat the infestation.
Our pest control services work not only to target spiders directly but also to control the other insects that may be drawing spiders into your home. With regular monitoring and treatment, we can help you enjoy a home free of wolf spiders and other pests.
Steel City Pest Wolf Spider Myths
Spider Myths and Facts
- Myth: Wolf spiders are deadly.
Fact: Wolf spiders are not deadly to humans, although their bite can be painful. - Myth: They chase people.
Fact: Wolf spiders do not chase people. They may, however, run quickly if they feel threatened. - Myth: Seeing one means you have an infestation.
Fact: Wolf spiders are not social insects and do not live in large groups. - Myth: Wolf spiders are mostly harmless.
Fact: Wolf spiders are not dangerous, although their bite can be painful. - Myth: They eat rodents.
Fact: Wolf spiders do not eat rodents. - Myth: Wolf spiders are cannibalistic.
Fact: Wolf spiders are not cannibalistic, but they may eat other spiders if they are available.
Conclusion
Wolf spiders are not necessarily dangerous, but their large size and quick movements can be frightening to some people. If you have a wolf spider in your home, you can identify it by its size, speed, and markings.
Wolf spiders are generally not aggressive and will only bite if they feel threatened or are handled roughly. Wolf spiders are predators that can be beneficial to have around as they help control other insect populations.
Preventative measures like keeping your home sealed up tight against drafts and eliminating food sources like other insects will help deter them from coming indoors. If you have an infestation, our professional spider control services at Steel City Pest can help get rid of them quickly and safely.
